London has been battered by 50mph winds that have felled trees and caused travel chaos. Powerful gusts swept across the capital as the Met Office issued a yellow "be aware" weather alert for most of the country.

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Tributes to couple killed in Hounslow storm gas blast

Explosion: emergency workers at the blast scene in Hounslow

Published: 30 October 2013

Updated: 08:06, 30 October 2013

Friends and colleagues have paid tribute to two people killed when hurricane-force winds uprooted a tree during St Jude's storm, causing an explosion.

Suhail Akhtar, 46, and girlfriend Dorota Kolasinska, 34, were found dead under rubble after their home in Hounslow, west London, was destroyed by a suspected gas mains blast.

The couple, who had reportedly been together for around 10 years, were among four people killed as the worst storm to hit the UK for years swept through southern England leaving a trail of destruction.

Ms Kolasinska, who had been working for Hackney Council for nine months as a traffic light sequencer, was described as "extremely popular and hard-working".

Kim Wright, corporate director of health and community services at the council in east London, said: "This is a truly tragic incident and our thoughts and sympathies are with Dorota's family, friends and colleagues."

Those who knew Mr Akhtar, who had worked as an IT contractor for services firm Atos, said they were "devastated" by the news.

Close friend Sheldon Hawkshaw told the Evening Standard: "He was a go-to guy. He always had time for everyone. He always made us laugh and will be sorely missed."

Three other people were killed in the blast on Bath Street, where three houses were completely destroyed and two more left with damages.

A Scotland Yard spokesman said the force was still awaiting results from post-mortem examinations on Mr Akhtar and Ms Kolasinska.